By ATN Editorial Team
Summary: Ampere has inaugurated its new Battery Cell Innovation Laboratory at the Lardy Technical Center, creating a hub for next-generation EV battery research. The 3,000 m² facility integrates both cell prototyping and electro-physico-chemical characterization to assess performance factors such as durability and fast charging. Equipped with over 120 advanced instruments, including a 600 m² dry room, the lab strengthens Ampere’s and Renault Group’s ability to explore breakthrough battery technologies and form strategic partnerships. This initiative supports the full transformation of the Lardy site into a 100% electric vehicle development center, alongside the upcoming E-Tech Campus for EV engineering training.
Key engineering takeaway: The new laboratory enhances Renault Group’s in-house capabilities in battery cell innovation, enabling detailed evaluation and optimization of cell performance, durability, and chemistry.
Why it matters: By consolidating advanced R&D and testing under one roof, Ampere improves control over the EV battery value chain and accelerates innovation—key factors in maintaining competitiveness in the fast-evolving electric vehicle market.
Ampere inaugurates its Battery Cell Innovation Laboratory, a center of excellence designed to anticipate technological breakthroughs and strengthen Renault Group’s competitiveness in the electric vehicle sector. Covering 3,000 m² across two levels, the building houses more than 120 state-of-the-art pieces of equipment, including a 600 m² dry room. It brings together two key and complementary activities: cell prototyping and electro-physico-chemical characterization, enabling performance and behavior assessment of battery cells (durability, fast charging, disassembly, internal analysis, etc.).
“With this new laboratory, Ampere fully embraces its role as a pathfinder for Renault Group. Our mission is to explore breakthrough technologies, identify the right partners, and secure the technological choices that will make a difference tomorrow. In such a strategic field as batteries, this ability to anticipate and guide is essential to ensure the competitiveness and sustainability of our electric vehicles,” says Josep Maria Recasens, CEO of Ampere.
This laboratory will enable Ampere to identify promising technologies and strategic partners early on. The goal is to gain control over the entire battery value chain, from upstream to downstream, by relying on a trusted network of partners.
“Having our own laboratory dedicated to battery cell innovation marks a major step forward for our engineering. Together with the E-Tech Campus, they play a key role in our ambition to lead cutting-edge innovation in engineering. Our goal is to make the Lardy Technical Center a true center of excellence in the field of electric vehicles,” says Philippe Brunet, CTO of Renault Group.
The creation of this new laboratory is fully aligned with the transformation of the Lardy Technical Center into a benchmark ecosystem for electric vehicle technologies. In addition, the E-Tech Campus of the ReKnow University will soon open its doors to offer training dedicated to electric vehicle technologies to Ampere and Renault Group employees – and eventually to other companies.
“The Battery Cell Innovation Laboratory is a key component of our battery strategy. It will enable us to improve performance and strengthen our evaluation capabilities through closer collaboration with our partners. We are making sure to stay ahead in the design of our electric vehicles and ensure they anticipate our customers’ expectations,” adds Nicolas Racquet, EV Engineering Director at Ampere.
Learn more about battery chemistry: https://www.ampere.cars/de-nouvelles-batteries-au-service-de-la-performance-des-vehicules-electriques/
Lardy : a technical center now 100% electric
Established in 1951, the Lardy Technical Center has supported all major evolutions in the automotive industry. Historically dedicated to the development and validation of internal combustion powertrains for Renault Group vehicles, its transformation toward electric mobility is now fully complete.
This strategic shift has been structured around three major pillars: a complete redesign of the site, the evolution of skills, and the launch of new high-value-added activities. Today, Lardy stands as a central pillar of Renault Group’s and its subsidiary Ampere’s electric vehicle ecosystem.
Among the flagship initiatives, the Battery Cell Innovation Laboratory and the E-Tech Campus embody this new momentum. They play a key role in anchoring electric activities at the site and actively contribute to job sustainability.
For more battery technology news, click here.
